Zohran Mamdani Faces Backlash Over Dipset’s Controversial Lyrics

Criticism has emerged against Zohran Mamdani, the presumptive future Democratic mayor of New York City, following his expression of admiration for the hip-hop group Dipset. In an article published by Just The News, investigative correspondent Jerry Dunleavy highlights that the group has made controversial references to the September 11 attacks in their music, particularly in their 2003 album, Diplomatic Immunity.

Mamdani shared a celebratory post about the Fourth of July in 2024 featuring images of Dipset members Cam’ron and Juelz Santana. Critics have seized on Dipset’s past lyrics, which include references to the Twin Towers and self-identifications such as “Dipset Taliban” and “Harlem’s Al-Qaeda.” This has sparked a wave of backlash against Mamdani, particularly on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

In response to Dunleavy’s article, fans rallied to Mamdani’s defense. One user remarked, “Zohran listening to Dipset is just more proof he is a real New Yorker,” while another stated, “Omfg you’re talking about the Diplomats… Only thing Mamdani is guilty of is being a New Yorker.” This public support highlights the divide in perceptions surrounding the candidate’s cultural affiliations and their implications.

Mamdani’s connection to hip-hop has been noted throughout his mayoral campaign. He has previously released several hip-hop tracks that gained traction on social media. Additionally, he attended the final performance of the Wu-Tang Clan at Madison Square Garden, further solidifying his ties to the genre.

The controversy surrounding Mamdani coincides with his condemnation of political violence following the tragic death of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot during a speech at Utah Valley University on March 15, 2024. Mamdani expressed his horror at the incident on X, stating, “Political violence has no place in our country.”

Responses to his statement were mixed, with some supporters praising his professionalism and others questioning his sincerity given Kirk’s previous remarks about him. One user criticized Mamdani, saying, “He wouldn’t be horrified if it was you. He would actually joke about it,” while another noted, “You saying even though Charlie Kirk has spread Islamophobic racist lies about you is so professional. This is the man I want as a mayor. You are a class act, Mamdani.”

As Mamdani continues his campaign, the interplay between his cultural interests and political aspirations remains a focal point of scrutiny and discussion. The response he receives from both supporters and critics will likely shape his trajectory as he seeks to become New York City’s next mayor.